Jim Patton, Port of Coupeville - Washington Public Ports Association

PORT OF COUPEVILLE
BRIEFING FOR
WPPA SMALL PORTS SEMINAR
OCTOBER 16-17, 2013
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PRESIDENT: MARSHALL W. BRONSON
VICE PRESIDENT: BENYE L. WEBER
SECRETARY: MIKE DIAMANTI
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: JAMES M. PATTON
PORT OF COUPEVILLE
THE CHALLENGE:
PURSUE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
IN A VERY PRETTY PLACE !
WHIDBEY ISLAND
GREENBANK FARM
COUPEVILLE WHARF IN
PENN COVE
EBEY’S LANDING
NATIONAL RESERVE
GREENBANK FARM
PORT OF COUPEVILLE
THREE
MOST IMPORTANT FACTORS

LOCATION!

LOCATION!

LOCATION!
PORT OF COUPEVILLE
MEETING THE CHALLENGE
THE PORT’S COMPREHENSIVE SCHEME
BALANCED THE PRIORITIES

RULE: ALL INITIATIVES FOR CHANGE
MUST PASS THROUGH TWO FILTERS

CANDIDATE INITIATIVES MUST BE
PREDICTED TO STIMULATE OUR
LOCAL ECONOMY, BUT ….

THEY MUST ALSO “DO NO HARM” TO
THE LOCAL ENVIRONMENT!
THE PORT’S LEVY WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1967
SOLELY TO PRESERVE, OPERATE AND MAINTAIN
THE COUPEVILLE WHARF
BUT, IN 1997, THE PORT RESPONDED TO
COMMUNITY PRESSURE TO SAVE THE
GREENBANK FARM FROM TAKEOVER BY
“EVIL” DEVELOPERS
PORT OF COUPEVILLE
FINANCES
Revenues ($517,500)
PORT OF COUPEVILLE
FINANCES
Expenses ($517,500)
PORT OF COUPEVILLE
SURVIVAL MODE
• ASK THE PUBLIC FOR A LEVY LIFT IN
2008 ANSWER: “FORGETTABOUTIT!!!!”
• SALVAGE MATERIALS AND DEPEND ON
VOLUNTEERS
• “CREATIVE” APPROACHES FOR THE
USE OF COUPEVILLE WHARF
• SURRENDER DEVELOPMENT RIGHTS
AT GREENBANK FARM IN RETURN FOR
“CONSERVATION FUTURES FUNDS”
PORT OF COUPEVILLE
SURVIVAL MODE

REMODEL THE WHARF TO HOST
RESTAURANT, GIFT SHOP, COFFEE SHOP,
ETC.

BECOME A MARINE FUELING TERMINAL,
SERVICING LOCAL SHELLFISH INDUSTRY
AND RECREATIONAL BOATERS

ACTIVELY REACH OUT TO EVERY VARIETY
OF MARINE ENTERPRISE
PORT OF COUPEVILLE
BUT ……
PROBLEMS IN PARADISE
•THE WEATHER IS NOT ALWAYS NICE!
•THERE IS NO BREAKWATER TO PROTECT
THE WHARF!
•THE FUEL FLOATS WERE NOT DESIGNED
TO WITHSTAND HEAVY SEAS
•MONEY HAS TO BE FOUND TO BUY NEW
FLOATS
GREENBANK FARM
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PORT OF COUPEVILLE
MEANWHILE – AT THE
FINANCIAL REALITY
BEARS ITS UGLY HEAD
➡
THE PORT LACKS THE REVENUE TO
SUPPORT BOTH PROPERTIES
➡
FARM INFRASTRUCTURE AND BUILDINGS
MUST BE REPLACED
➡
THE PORT BECOMES DEPENDANT ON A NONPROFIT TO GENERATE THE OPERATING
FUNDS FOR THE GREENBANK FARM
Greenbank Farm Management Group
(a non-profit 501C under contract with the Port)
Financial Reports
PORT OF COUPEVILLE
FOUR NEW INITIATIVES
FOR GREENBANK FARM
➡
AGRICULTURAL TRAINING CENTER
PARTNERING WITH WSU
➡
➡
NEW REVENUE-PRODUCING
BUILDING
➡
SOLAR ENERGY SITE
PORT OF COUPEVILLE
0N THE EVE OF 2014
➡
POSSIBLE “CLIMATE CHANGE” IN THE
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
➡
SERIOUS FINANCIAL CHALLENGES
➡
MANAGEMENT TRANSITION AT THE
GREENBANK FARM